<p>(I'm a sophomore)
So far what I have for extracurricular is : 2 semesters CJSF, 2 semesters viking nation (school spirit), 3 semesters CSF, and an 8 week tennis program (which I plan to continue)</p>
<p>I know it's not much, and that's why I was wondering what the difference is between a hobby and an extracurricular. For example, I started piano in 4th grade and took private lessons until 6th grade. It was expensive and I learned the basics so now I'm just practicing on my own. Is it possible to make this an extracurricular activity?
Also, I have been drawing with charcoal A LOT. I am also self taught in it and I a actually legitimately good. How can I get this to be considered extracurricular?</p>
<p>Playing piano is an EC- anything which can be considered a ‘productive’ use of time and requires some effort is an EC. That includes many hobbies.</p>
<p>My kid has used some “hobbies” as ECs. One thing you need to do is use it somehow outside of just “futzing” with it (couldn’t think of a better word). A few suggestions:</p>
<ul>
<li>My kid entered her insect collections and art work in the county fair via 4H. We live in a suburb, and she HATED 4H meetings (pretty much never went to one after trying it out for a little while). But if you pay the annual entry fee and keep careful track of the entry process/rules, you can win ribbons at your county fair (and maybe end up showing and winning ribbons at the state fair). Just FYI, art is a very competitive category…</li>
<li>Enter your artwork in the Scholastic Art & Writing contests. Entries due in late fall, I think. The website is confusing, and you may need a teacher from school to help you (but our teachers are really willing to help with this stuff). Look online for other art contests. If you take drawing in school, your art teacher might know about some stuff (our kids’ art teachers entered the best stuff in some local competitions). She also knew about a local fundraiser that was selling modern art (small pieces), and my D even had a piece sold through that. All of it was good on the college application! Even if you can’t fit art into your schedule, have a conversation with the art teacher(s) at your school if it is offered and ask if they know of any local competitions you could enter.<br></li>
<li>Can you use your piano somehow, like maybe playing at a local nursing home a couple times a month or something? If you can tie it in with some kind of volunteer activity, that would be good. I think if you are not taking lessons or performing outside your home in any way, it is a pretty light EC… unless you have composed something, and can get someone (some group) to perform it. :)</li>
</ul>
<p>Regarding the tennis, can you play on the tennis team (even JV)?</p>
<p>An EC, like agreatpearhaps said, is something you do out of school that’s productive. Piano is productive, so you can use it. But like intparent said, it’s better if you find a way to play it outside your home.
And the charcoal drawing thing is interesting, you could send an arts supplement (if the school accepts it, that is). </p>
<p>Colleges want motivated students, and I’m sure they’ll like your initiative. I would include it.</p>
<p>Definitely an EC in my opinion if you’ve been doing it A LOT…Colleges want to know how you’re spending your time outside school and if it’s a productive use of your time. Don’t hesitate to put that in :)</p>